Hi

I just bought a 2001 6 spd with only 2900 miles on it. The GM records say all that has been done was recall # 04006, which is ‘’perform reprogram and functional test-manuals on”. I’ve been reading posts on the forum all the way back to 2005
about this CLB problem. I am REALLY confused now. I’ve read about K harness,
and fuel shutoffs, and locking plates…..and I don’t know what else. I’ve seen posts that praise the CLB, and I’ve seen posts that say they can cause all kinds of big problems. I don’t know what’s right and what’s wrong……

Ok, maybe you could answer some questions (again) for me.
What exactly does the CLB do? Does it disable the locking pin motor so the pin does not engage the locking ring? Does it keep telling the fuel pump that everything is alright? If I DID decide to remove the locking ring, would I still need the CLB to keep the fuel pump running? (but there’s no sense in removing the locking ring right?) Are the CLB and the K harness basically the same thing, so if I do install a CLB I don’t need a K harness?

I guess my scrambled up brain is telling me to do it this way.
I’m following these instructions, http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24

So here we go. Remove the knee panel. Unplug the correct wire junction terminal. Plug the CLB Into the correct side on the terminal, leaving the other wires doing nothing, put the knee panel back together, and that’s it…..nothing more, nothing less. Am I thinking right??

Sorry to bring up a well used subject again, but maybe now I’ll understand things before I tear into my new car. (which I haven’t even driven yet)


Thanks again

Rod

 

Hi Rob,

The CLB basically receives the signal to activate the pin, and loops it back so the computer thinks the pin moved. When you install the CLB you start with the pin retracted, install the bypass, then close it up - so the net is the motor never again receives any voltage to move the pin into the ring, thus locking it.

 

so the steering wheel will no longer lock? if a thief wants it, a locked steering wont stop 'em anyway. also, what happens to the car if the CLB were to fail??

 

If it were to fail, I guess the most likely thing to happen would be that you get a Service Steering Column message, and you will not be able to move the car over about 1 mph, at which point the fuel pump will stop, because the system thinks someone is trying to steal the car.

 

i don't think the cutoff is because the system thinks the car is being stolen; I think the system doesn't want to drive with a locked steering wheel.
I installed my CLB a few years ago and have not had any problems at all. It's as easy as ness described and an absolute necessity of you do not have an A4 that was "blocked off".

 

Soooo.....one way or another we might be stuck somewhere.
I guess on the bright side, we could always pull the CLB and
hook it up original.

 

I think the track record for the CLBs is much better than for the original system though. If the CLB did go bad, that can be replaced as easy as the original install - if the original system fails then it is a major job to tear apart the steering wheel to get at the components

 

I have never heard of a CLB failing.... (column lock bypass)
I have often heard of the column lock mechanism failing.
Do the CLB, then forget about it.

 

Is there a way to tell if one has already been installed without pulling things apart??

 

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think the bypass can really fail. I think it just tricks the computer into thinking the pin is getting the message and it isn't. There is no mechanical or anything to the bypass... probably no more than a resistor or something equivalent. Nothing fancy, therefor very low chance of it going wrong... Even if it did though, the pin would not lock, because it is not hooked up to any signal at all.

 

two things

1) To answer the quote above, turn the wheel when parked and off. If it turns freely, it's unlocked and it aparently has been installed.

2) You are way over thinking this thing. Once it's in, forget about it.

Now to make you think some more. The GM service "fix" is not a guarantee for manual transmission cars...

 

I am going through it now. I got the error message this weekend. mine was fixed by the dealership 13 months ago and not even 7000 miles. They are saying it is very rare for it to go bad twice which I see is BS. I was told it would be $350 to fix but there is one problem they can't find the harness anywhere. I have filed a complaint with GM and so far they agree that it should be fixed for free it just has to go through their boss. I informed them that it seems like there is more problems with them then they think and maybe should do another recall since what they replaced does not fix the problem.

 

spend the 50 bucks and be done with it

 

I agree buy the CLB for $50 also get the skip shift eliminator for $20.

That 1st to 4th shifting crap is dangerous!

Both are easy to put on

Tim

 

Gentlemen, thanks for all your input. I'm going to order both
the CLB and the CAGS first thing tomorrow. Someday the snow will go away and i'll be able to try my new car out.....

 

So is there a preferance to the thunder racing one or the one corvettes of Houston sells??? also and Im not meaning to hijack your thread but I called my local GM dealer and they say all the recalls have been done so if I want to put a CLB on what do I do?? I have started to read the post in the Tech section but man thats alot of reading. thanks

 

ya, i guess i'd like to know that too...I was going to order from Corvettes of Houston, but maybe there's a better brand...

anybody???

 

Not on point to your question, but I've gotta say you bought one beautiful car.

That one caught my eye when I was doing a little touring of various sites.

 

Yea very nice looking car it sounds like we are in the same boat new car and worried about the steering lock. so has yours had the recalls done??

 

Perhaps your dealership experiences gives you some insight as to why many of us will not take our cars there for work unless really really desperate.